QUITO —
Ecuador aspires to vindicate itself in the match against Uruguay and improve as a visitor, said the Tricolor coach, Sebastián Beccacece on Saturday, three days after visiting a convulsed Celeste, whom the strategist nevertheless considers a rival of “hierarchy.” ”.
The Ecuadorian team will face the Uruguayan team on Tuesday in Montevideo, on the tenth round of qualifying for the 2026 World Cup.
At home, Ecuador drew goalless with Paraguay on Thursday, in what was its third qualifying match under the command of Argentine Beccacece, who took over in August.
The strategist defended the performance of his players at a press conference, although he said he was aware that, after resigning to the draw at home, Ecuador has to look for better results away from home.
“I would like to see if we are able in this process to begin to change a little that tone that Ecuador outside does not add up,” he shared.
After nine dates, La Tri has visited four opponents, of which they only managed to defeat Bolivia 2-1. Instead, they succumbed 1-0 to Argentina, drew 0-0 with Venezuela and lost 0-1 to Brazil.
“We know that we are going to face an opponent that is going to demand extreme intensity from us,” because they have “hierarchical” players, commented the coach.
He warned that Ecuador must prepare for that, and admitted the lack of “forcefulness” of his team when scoring the goal.
The 43-year-old helmsman referred to his compatriot Marcelo Bielsa, the Uruguay coach, involved since last week in a controversy following the statements of retired star Luis Suárez, who complained about the strategist’s alleged mistreatment of players and members of the coaching staff. .
The tension in Uruguay worsened the day before, with a defeat in their visit to Peru. After the meeting, Bielsa himself commented on the controversy: “I know that my authority is affected in some way.”
Beccacece did not spare his praise for Bielsa, stating that he feels for him “great affection, great admiration, great respect for his career.”
“He has been like a football father” and “a reference not only in my career but in my life,” declared the Ecuador coach.
Ecuador is fifth in the tie with 12 points, while Uruguay is third with 16. Both teams are in the direct qualification zone for the World Cup that will be jointly organized by the United States, Mexico and Canada.
